Chicago Takes First Game of Series From Lincoln

Rosemont, Illinois-   The Chicago Dogs scored early and slowly pulled away from the Lincoln Saltdogs toward a 6-1 final score, Friday night at Impact Field.  Lincoln will try to even up the weekend three-game series on Saturday night.

Chicago (6-8) scored six runs off seven hits with no errors.  Lincoln (3-10) had one run with four hits and committed one error.

Johnny Ray started on the mound for Lincoln, looking for his first win.  However, his first pitch of the game was hit over the left field wall by Chicago leadoff batter Brantley Bell, to make it a 1-0 Chicago lead.

The Dogs doubled their advantage in the bottom of the fifth.  Bell tripled to right-center field to begin the inning.  Two batters later, Chicago’s Jacob Teter hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Bell, to put the Dogs ahead 2-0.

Chicago’s biggest inning came in the sixth.  Facing Lincoln reliever Franny Cobos, the Dogs Kyle Schmack doubled, with one out.  After Alex McGarry was hit by a pitch, a Zion Pettigrew fielder’s choice but runners on the corners.  The next batter, Reggie Pruit, Jr. singled, scoring Schmack and Pettigrew to make it a 4-0, Chicago lead.  After Pruit stole second, Brantley Bell singled, scoring Pruit, to make it a 5-0 Dogs advantage.

Lincoln’s lone run came in the top of the seventh inning.  With one out, Kyle Battle doubled.  After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Jack Dragum doubled down the left field line, scoring Battle, to make the score 5-1.

Chicago scored one more in the bottom of the seventh.  Facing Lincoln’s new acquired relief pitcher Dylan Castaneda, the Dogs Dusty Stroup drew a walk.  After Chance Sisco was hit by a pitch and Kyle Schmack reached on a fielder’s choice, Stroup scored on a wild pitch, to make it 6-1.

In the top of the ninth, Dogs reliever Austin Macozas struck out the Saltdogs in order, to end the game.

Chicago starter John Baker (2-0) pitched 7.0 innings, giving up one run off three hits, struck out nine and walked one, to earn the victory.  Austin Macozas pitched 2.0 innings, gave up one hit, struck out five and walked one.

For Lincoln, Johnny Ray (0-1) pitched 5.0 innings, gave up two runs off four hits, struck out eight and walked two, in the loss.  Franny Cobos pitched 1.0 inning, giving up three runs off three hits and struck out one.  Dylan Castaneda pitched 2.0 innings, gave up one run, struck out two and walked one.

Offensively for Chicago, Brantley Bell was 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI’s.  Reggie Pruit, Jr. was 1-for-4 and drove in two runs.

The Saltdogs Jack Dragum was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Game two of the three game series is Saturday night at Impact Field.  First pitch is 6:00 p.m.  The game will be on radio on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and online at www.kfornow.com.  Live audio will also stream at:  www.aabaseball.tv.

Lincoln’s next home game is Monday, May 27^th, when the Saltdogs host the Lake Country DockHounds.  First pitch at Haymarket Park will be 7:05 p.m.  Monday’s game is Mini & Military Monday: Fans 12 and under and all military personnel receive BOGO tickets! Plus, it’s  “Saltdogs Guaranteed Win Night”.  (If the Saltdogs don’t win Monday’s game, fans may exchange their ticket at the box office for a FREE ticket of equal or lesser value to the Tuesday, 5/27 game).  For tickets, merchandise, promotions and more, go to:  www.saltdogs.com.